Singing the garage door blues

by Leon A. Frechette

How many times have you found yourself in this situation? It's
Friday, you worked late, you're tired, it's raining, and you had
to go grocery shopping. With a car full of groceries, you head for
home, and a wishful thought comes to mind, "I hope the kids
left the garage door open tonight." As you start down the driveway,
which by now seems endless, you stare out your fogged-up windshield
as your headlights search for the front of the garage. Did they?
Yes—Yes—NO! You dash out to lift the door and barely get back to
the car when you hear the door roll back to the ground.

My guess is we have all been in a similar situation at one time
or another. Perhaps you just couldn't get the door open. I would
also guess that you thought about solving the problem but never
got around to it. Whatever your reason, there is a simple solution—install
a garage door opener. This is something you can handle yourself
and is one sure way to cure those garage door blues. Imagine not
having to get out of the car in bad weather to open the door. A
click on the remote button will lift that door as if by magic.

A Great Weekend Project

So what are you waiting for? This is a great weekend project so
invite your buddies over to help. You'll be able to automatically
close that door as you leave for work on Monday morning.

First check to make sure you have at least 7 feet (or more) above
the garage floor, which is recommended for installing an opener.
Then determine the type of door you have—track operating (straight
track or curved, the most popular) or trackless (one-piece with
jamb- or pivot-type hardware). Once you reach your local home improvement
or hardware store, you will discover that garage door openers come
in two styles: chain-driven or screw-type. I personally prefer the
screw-type because of the constructed one-piece unit, its overall
strength, and quiet action.

As long as you're going to install an
opener, purchase one that has all the bells and whistles: safety
light, hand-held units that accept a personal security code, security
vacation lock, etc.

A reversing system is an important consideration,
especially if you have children. Select an operator that has both
non-contact and contact built-in features. Don't forget to compare
warranties.

Manufacturers provide a great selection of openers, all accompanied
by complete step-by-step instructions, with how-to videos available
at your place of purchase. Both help to eliminate the fear that
some homeowners associate with home improvement projects.

It is
important that you follow the manufacturer's instructions during
the different phases of the project to achieve a correct installation.
It is also a good idea to check the parts against the parts list
before getting started.

Check Your Garage Door's Balance

To extend the life of your new opener, be sure your garage door
is properly balanced. Raise the door about 3 feet off the floor;
if the door moves up or down on its own, have the door professionally
adjusted. Because of the amount of tension on the main door spring,
do not work on or remove this spring! A sudden release of
spring tension can result in a serious (possibly fatal) injury—call
in a professional.

An opener does provide security, so using the manual lock on your
door is not necessary. As a precautionary measure, remove all locks
and ropes to help prevent motor burnout, especially if the manual
lock should accidentally engage.

Before you can actually hang the operator, you will have to install
a header bracket. Mount it on a solid surface at least 2 1/2"
above the highest point of the door's travel. If you have an overhead
tension spring and it is in the way, don't worry—install the header
bracket above it.

Just like an erector set, assemble the entire unit, motor and track,
following the manual as you go. With the help of those extra hands,
lift the unit so the front end of the track has been placed into
the header bracket and secured with the retaining pin. Lift the
motor end and place on a tall ladder. Using wood scraps placed under
the motor and on top of the ladder, level the entire unit. With
the unit in place, attach an angle iron to the ceiling joist and
make the final installation by attaching the motor to the angle
iron using the mounting straps.

Do not forget to install the door bracket. It is important if you
have a lightweight door or one made of fiberglass, masonite, or
metal, that you have a solid backing to support that bracket. Consult
the local distributor for your make of door to see if they have
backing or bracing instructions for an automatic door operator.
Now you are ready to install the door arm assembly to the release
carriage located on the track.

Have you forgotten anything? How about the wall control, wall console,
and infrared beam (transmitter and receiver)? Remember to hook up
the wires to the motor.

Electricity Required

By the way, only the hand-held units of your automatic garage door
opener run on batteries. The actual operator requires electrical
service. You may want to consult with or hire a licensed electrician
to complete this portion of the job.